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Quality streaming for newbie

Old timer here. I’ve been semi stalking pages trying to gain insight. I’m looking for a streaming setup with CD quality playback. I understand compression 100% as I subscribe to Apple Music. I’m interested in the bare essentials,equipment wise,to achieve a better signal. From what I’ve gathered a quality DAC is where the bulk of my budget should be spent on. Any & all suggestions/advice are truly appreciated.
griff69
arftech's avatar
arftech
13 posts
 
I’m using a PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MK2 with a Mac Mini and they sound heavenly together for streaming purposes.
yeti42's avatar
yeti42
287 posts
 
Are we talking Naim ND555 ($33k) or a MAC Mini and a budget DAC, what do you mean by quality? 
mahler123
3,324 posts
 
If read the OP correctly he or she wants to upgrade their sound with a DAC, still play CDs and investigate streaming.  What I am unclear about is whether the OP currently has a useable CD player.  If so, and if it has digital outs, then it can be used as a transport, and then 
the OP only needs a DAC and a streamer.
  If the OP needs the whole shebang—CD replay, DAC, streamer, CD ripper—examine Cocktail Audio.  They make a range of units within the budget and I haven’t heard them but they get generally high marks.  Some come with amplification.
  If the OP already has a CDP and a ripper, then within budget could either purchase a pure DAC with a streamer separate or an all in one.  Investigate DACs from Benchmark, Schiit, Mytek, and consider
adding a streamer such as the Bluesound Node.  Companies such as Auralic and Aureender are now issuing streamer DACs in the budget.
  If the OP isn’t fully convinced about streaming they could dip their toe in the water with Google Chrome Cast, which is inexpensive and well liked by many people.  Coupled with a good DAC, it might satisfy their needs for a long time, and the OP can always upgrade later.
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